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Billie Jean King Quotes

September 11 , 2007: "Pound for pound she is the best athlete I've ever seen.  She's incredible and she continues to get better."
— Tennis legend Billie Jean King with high praise for Justine Henin after the 5'5¾”, 126-pound Belgian won the U.S. Open for her seventh Grand Slam crown..
April 17, 2007: "I think it's very hard to be an American and understand what it feels like to be a Russian who plays tennis wearing layers of clothes in the snow. Kids in America, let's face it, we have the most unbelievable life in this country, and that's why it's still the greatest country for opportunity. But once you get to fourth-, fifth-, sixth-generation Americans, I think we can say we're all a little softer."
- Tennis legend Billy Jean King, on why American tennis is in crisis, in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
March 1, 2007: "I think it was definitely hard for them to change because of the culture and the psyche behind it, but I'm relieved that they finally got there. But remember, it's not about the money, it's about the message it sends to women and girls around the world. Every time we can change a benchmark like this, it helps people ask in their daily life, 'Are we insisting on equality for our sons and daughters?' So that makes it a very important moment in history."
- Billie Jean King,a pioneer for equal rights in sports, on Wimbledon's long-overdue decision to award equal prize money for men and women at this year's championships.
August 6, 2006: "This is a show of faith and respect. And with it a sense of responsibility. I don't think I'll ever comprehend this. It's like, 'Oy vey, the responsibility.' I'm glad I'm still living. I'm not finished."

- Billy Jean King, tennis pioneer and all-time great, after learning the United States Tennis Association is adding her name to the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in The New York Times..
June 16, 2005: “Sharapova making the kind of money [reportedly $25 million in endorsements this year] she does is great. But there is a trade-off for these girls. They have financial security. But what sort of legacy will they leave? Everything is about outer success. When I was 15, I wanted to be the best at something. Girls today want to be famous. I think all of us realize something isn’t quite right with that."


Billie Jean King, all-time great and women's tennis pioneer, in ESPN The Magazine

"I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience - at least a knowledgeable audience-in almost sensual ways.. When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience."

- Billie Jean King




 






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